World Briefing / PERU

Protesters release 48 police officers

Protesters freed 48 police officers they had held hostage, but Peru was still struggling to end a weeklong blockade over mining taxes.

Residents of Moquegua province have occupied roads and severed access to the Ilo smelter and Cuajone mine of Southern Copper Corp. to demand that their province receive a bigger share of taxes paid by the company.

Meanwhile, workers at the Cuajone mine started a two-day strike for better benefits.